The Alpha's Guardian

I've been wanting to check out training since Wade's hinting about Liam being the reason Mason was so beat up. But where Wade goes I go and where Wade stays, well I stay there too. Wade has been in his office answering calls, making calls, and researching all sorts of things, again. It's interesting how one minute it can seem like everything happens at once and there is almost too much to handle and then the next is so dull I could poke my eyes out. "Yes. I agree, Alpha Nick. Yes, I am excited to meet with you as well. We will see you tonight." Wade says into his phone. He ends the call and slumps into his seat.

"Everything ok?" I ask him honing in on the dark circles under his eyes.

"Yeah. Finally making some headway. We are heading to speak with Alpha Nick tonight over dinner. He is about an hour and a half drive from us."

"Who is going to keep the pack in order?" I ask him. I know us leaving, even for a few hours will make him worry about leaving his pack in the hands of Liam.

"Francis is on his way back. He should be here any minute." I can hear the relief in his voice.

I have to admit I have missed Francis. When he is here I feel like I can breathe a little easier. He does a great job helping field Wade's alpha duties and asks questions that help invoke Wade's deeper thinking. He is one of the best Beta's I have seen, perhaps though, that is because he is so loyal to his Alpha and respects him rather than fear him.

There is a knock at the door and Wade tells them to come in.

"Alpha Wade. I would like to speak with you for a moment if I may?" she asks

"Sure, what's up?"

"Oh. um. Could we have your Guardian step out for a moment?"

"No," I say firmly.

"Then I need you to swear that what I say here stays here," she says looking me in the eyes, looking nervous.

"Of course."

Ada hesitates for a moment and then looks to Wade. Stepping further into the room she finds a seat across from his desk and takes it. Sitting silently as if waiting for permission to speak.

"Go ahead, Ada," Wade says, sliding me a confused glance.

-I'm noticing it too Alpha- I say through the link

-She is acting very strange- Wade responds.

Ada clears her throat readying herself to speak and she looks up at Wade.

"At the end of our training, I would like to respectfully ask to stay and join your pack." She says wringing her hands. Ada is a formidable warrior. She is quick and precise, seeing her look so meek and fearful is off-putting.

"Why is that?" Wade asks, looking her over intently.

"I...Uhm...Well, I found my mate" she chuckles, reaching up and rubbing the back of her neck.

"I see. And he is a member of my pack then?" She nods nervously.

"Who is it?" Wade asks and she bows her head in shame.

"Frank O'Dell." Wade's eyes widen and he looks over at me.

"Ada, have you had a mate before?" Wade asks her the very question that had been in my mind. We both know that Frank just rejected his first mate meaning if what she says is true, then she must have either lost or been rejected by her own as well. Second chance mates happen but it's not common for a second chance mat to be found so quickly after losing their first.

"Yes," she whispers tears in her eyes. "Alpha Liam forced me to reject him"

My heart pinches as I look over at Wade who refuses to meet my eyes.

"He must have had his reasoning?" Wade suggests

"Alpha Liam has a pack rule, any female who discovers their mate, upon accepting their mate, they become the ranking of the Male party. If I had accepted Jason, I would have been stripped of my wolf and made an omega."

My fury grows at her words. There is some misunderstanding. There is no way that this is a rule. Liam wouldn't dare do something so low and cruel, would he? I look over at Wade as he sits calmly and answers Ada's questions about mates here in his pack. I can see her smile becoming more genuine and happy the more she hears and learns. Wade, slides me a warning with his eyes and I mentally check my barriers that are overflowing with anger. I breathe deeply and do my best to listen to the conversation. "So I can be with Frank here, keep my wolf and my warrior status?" she asks happily.

"Of course. That's the natural course of things." Wade says, flabbergasted.

"Are you guys not training today?" I ask curiously, breaking into the conversation.

"No, we are. Women get a week's break once a month."

"Why?" Wade asks, confused.

"For...*eh hem* our cycle," she says shyly. "Liam doesn't like us around during that time. He says we are too emotional and whiny. I faked it so I could talk to Alpha Wade. Frank said you would be welcoming and understanding. I just didn't believe him." There is another knock on the door and it opens just enough for Francis to peek his head in.

"Just wanted to pop by and say hey. I'm headed over to the training center now to check everything out."

"We will be right behind you," Wade says as Francis closes the door. He turns his attention back to Ada. "Anything else?" he asks her. She shakes her head no and stands.

"Thank you again, Alpha Wade. I promise to be a diligent pack member and work hard." She walks out the door with a huge grin on her face, and before the door closes we can hear her shriek in happiness as a male voice greets her.

Wade stands from his chair and he walks over looking at me.

"Let's go have a chat with Alpha Liam about you and me leaving"

"Oh good. I have some questions for him" I say annoyed.

"Oh I am sure you do," he smirks

When we walk in the entire building is full. Men and women are sparring in both human and wolf form and I smile with pride at how much these wolves are doing to improve so quickly. Pack members who had trouble keep focus are defending blow after blow as their confidence soars.

I steal a glance at Wade who is swelling with pride, like a father watching his kid succeed. Liam Saunters over and I double-check my mental barriers so that Wade doesn't have to be privy to the lust the closer Liam gets. He is looking delicious in his cut-off tank and loose basketball shorts, and he knows it. He has a deep smile on his face and his eyes darken as he flicks them over my body in approval.

"Ali, my love. You look divine as always." he drawls out. I am pleased to find that his 3exy smile doesn't have its usual effect on me.

"Alpha Liam." I greet him and stand next to Wade who is impossible to read.

"Alpha Liam. Ali and I have to leave the pack for a short period of time. My Beta, Francis." Wade cranes his neck looking for him when he pops up his head and hustles over. Wade relaxes a little. And starts again.

"My Beta, Francis, will be in charge for the evening"

"Ok," Liam says his eyes are still lingering on me. I peek down at what I am wearing and find that I'm in my usual guardian attire.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.

"Alpha Wade. I really would love to have a chat with your guardian, if I may?" Liam reaches out and grabs hold of my hand.

"Be my guest," Wade says smirking deviously. I'm sure he knows I have a few choice words for Liam.

Alpha Liam drags me to the doors, pulls me outside swinging me around as he pulls me to his chest for a hug. I reluctantly reach my arms around his back and accept the embrace. He smells, woodsy and sweet and I relish the smell that elicits so many memories of the time we once shared.

Footsteps behind us force me to break out of the hug and I turn to find a still rough-looking Mason who is walking alongside Isaac. Isaac nods and waves where Mason glowers and steps into the training center. I can feel Liam tense up as he flinches for the doors. "Um. Liam." I say pulling his attention. "Can you tell me what happened with that beat-up kid?"

"You mean that filthy Omega?" His words are full of ice.

"Excuse me?" I say trying to contain my anger. Liam sighs and runs his hand down his face.

"He disrespected me in front of my pack and his." My anger quickly subsides to pride, at the mention of Wade refusing to punish a young omega.

"How did he disrespect you?" I ask

"Omega's don't train. They cook and clean and stay out of the way. Why do they need to know how to fight?" His words disgust me as I look him over angrily, how could I have ever loved someone like this.

"So you let your warrior beat the sh!t out of him?"

"No, I did." he smiles proudly and my heart falls.

"You beat up a kid?"

"He is barely a kid," he rolls his eyes.

I pinch my eyes shut tight trying to keep from crying in anger. All I can see is Mason being stubborn and getting back up to take more hits and my heart feels like it's tearing in half.

"He spat at me and told me to fvck off!" he shouts as if it's some big deal. "And his Alpha refuses to punish him."

"Fine. As head Omega, tell me how many lashings you demand." I say squaring my shoulders.

"What?" Liam balks at me.

"Liam, I am the highest-ranking Omega here and you demand retribution."

"You are hardly an Omega." he scoffs.

"I have no wolf." I remind him

"You are different," he says, raking his hands through his hair.

"The difference is, you still trained me."

"Because I love you."

"You don't love me. You want me because you can't have me!" I say my voice rising.

"You seriously don't know?" he asks, looking at me like I'm crazy. He paces away from me and spins to face me placing his hands on his hips waiting for me to connect the invisible dots and follow the conversation he is alluding to. "Know what, Liam?"

"I'm your mate, Ali."